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Kirkpatrick, Kops exit Par to go solo

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Nancy Kirkpatrick, executive vp worldwide publicity at Paramount Pictures, is leaving the Melrose lot after seven years to start her own company, the studio said Monday. Mike Vollman will take over Kirkpatrick's duties while Paramount finds a replacement.

Eric Kops, senior vp publicity, who runs the U.S. side of the division, also is parting ways with Paramount to form his own production company.

Although Kirkpatrick has not selected a date for her departure, the publicity veteran said she will stay at least through month's end.

Kirkpatrick plans to handle film publicity from preproduction through DVD release on a project-by-project basis. She will maintain a relationship with Paramount, working on their titles.

"I already miss her, and she hasn't even left yet," said Gerry Rich, president of worldwide motion picture marketing at Paramount.

Kops, whose contract expired in December, decided to stay through the Academy Awards season and "see 'Dreamgirls' through to the finish line," he said. He will exit the studio March 1. The studio has yet to name an interim replacement.

Kops, who has worked in marketing at Sony Pictures and MGM, has 16 projects in development for his new shingle, including a documentary on Darfur, Sudan.